Eagles trade with Cowboys, pick Makai Lemon at No. 20 in NFL draft

Philadelphia–the eagles traded with division rival dallas cowboys thursday night selection USC wide receiver corn lemon With the No. 20 pick in the NFL Draft.

The Cowboys received the No. 23 pick and two fourth-round selections (Nos. 114 and 137) from Philadelphia for the 20th pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

The inclusion of lemon is another indication of aj brown There is likely to be a turnover at some point. Sources tell ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Brown is likely to be traded. new England Patriots On or after June 1. The two sides have discussed a deal, but no one has committed to it until after June 1, when the Browns’ $40 million salary cap charge will be split between this year and next year.

General manager Howie Roseman said, “Again, AJ is a member of the Eagles. We don’t have any trades that have been made or have been made.” “And I think for us, we’re taking it one day at a time. We’re going to improve the team tomorrow and we’re going to continue to address whatever we have to do with our roster, not only during this draft weekend, but we’re going to continue to look for ways to improve the team throughout the offseason and as we get into training camp.”

Philadelphia had to avoid its interstate rival, pittsburgh steelersTo become a Biletnikoff Prize winner. Lemon confirmed on a conference call with local media that he was on the phone with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were scheduled to pick him at pick 21, when he received a call from the Eagles saying they had made a deal to select him.

“I feel like everything happens for a reason,” he said. “They made the trade, so it means a lot that they really wanted me. I’m fully prepared and they’ll get everything I’ve got.”

Lemon was not even expected to be in the range. According to ESPN Analytics’ draft predictor, there was a 4% chance entering the draft that he would be available at pick 20.

Lemon had 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season to earn All-America honors. He had 137 catches for 2,008 yards and 14 touchdowns in his college career. He had over 150 receiving yards in four games last season, the most by a USC player since drake london in 2021, and emerged as one of the nation’s top slot targets with 1,281 yards from the slot since 2024.

“We had a pretty good sense of who we thought the first 15 people would be [off the board],” Roseman said. ”One of those guys didn’t go into the first 15 and he was available for us. When we saw him, we were just trying to figure out where we could go.”

Roseman and coach Nick Sirianni said they believe Lemon can play both inside and outside at the next level.

“His separation ability, amazing ability to catch the ball in contested situations. I like his toughness,” Sirianni said. “Extremely competitive, so a lot to like. Really excited to have him added to our roster.”

The Eagles also signed free agent wide receivers hollywood brown And eliza moore and acquired wide receiver dontevian wicks in business with green Bay Packers This offseason, filling out a room that will likely soon be without AJ Brown.